Windmill Blades

I am not sure exactly what the wider quilting community calls this block, but since a larger block reference that I found uses four of these in a rotation and calls that larger block a Windmill, I am calling these units Windmill Blades.

Windmill Blades are a mash-up of a Cat’s Cradle variation and Half-Square Triangles. I tried several times to figure out a way to make these two at a time in order to not have much waste, but those attempts were unsuccessful. Therefore, we have to make these one at a time, and we will have some waste.

Remember that all measurements are based on the Finished size of your block.

Math and Cutting Instructions:

• Refer to the diagram letters at right to know which part we are making. Note: The letters refer to the piece placement, not the fabric color. Pieces B & D are the same fabric, and Pieces A & F are the same fabric.
• For the small A/B HST:
  • Divide the desired finished size of the whole Windmill Blade unit by two, then add ⁷/₈".
  • Cut one square each of your desired fabrics to this size.
  • Example for a 6" finished Windmill Blade:
    • 6 ÷ 2 = 3.
    • 3 + ⁷/₈ = 3⁷/₈.
    • Cut these squares to 3⁷/₈".
  • Note: This will make two of these A/B HSTs, so if you are making two Windmill Blade units, you will use the second of these HSTs in the second Windmill Blade.
• For Triangle C:
  • Divide the desired finished size of the whole Windmill Blade unit by two, then add ½".
  • Cut one square of your desired fabric to this size.
  • Example for a 6" finished Windmill Blade:
    • 6 ÷ 2 = 3.
    • 3 + ½ = 3½.
    • Cut this square to 3½".
• For Triangle D:
  • Add ½" to the desired finished size of the whole Windmill Blade unit.
  • Cut one rectangle using the measurement you used for Triangle C and this new measurement.
  • Example for a 6" finished Windmill Blade:
    • 6 + ½ = 6½.
    • Cut this rectangle to 3½" × 6½".
• For Triangles E and F:
  • Add ⁷/₈" to the desired finished size of the whole Windmill Blade unit.
  • Cut one square each of your desired fabrics to this size.
  • Example for a 6" finished Windmill Blade:
    • 6 + ⁷/₈ = 6⁷/₈.
    • Cut these squares to 6⁷/₈".
  • Note: This will make two E/F HSTs, so if you are making two Windmill Blade units, you will use the second of these HSTs in the second Windmill Blade.

Sewing Instructions:

Note: Everything except Step 1, making the initial HSTs, in making Windmill Blades is directional. Before you sew anything, fold open where the seam will be to ensure you have the correct placement. Then before you either sew the next seam or trim anything, double check again.

1. Make A/B and E/F HSTs according to the simple Half Square Triangles tutorial. Set one A/B and one E/F HST aside to use to make a second Windmill Blade, if needed.
2. Sew Square C to the correct side of one A/B HST, right sides together, using a ¼" seam allowance.
3. Open this new piece and press the seam allowances towards Square C.
4. Sew Rectangle D to the correct side of the A/B/C piece, using a ¼" seam allowance.
5. Open this new piece and press the seam allowances towards Rectangle D.
6. This piece should now be the same size as the E/F HST you already made.
7. Turn Piece A/B/C/D wrong side up and draw a diagonal line from the Piece C corner, through the center point where all the seams meet and on to the Piece D corner. You can use a regular quilt ruler (a 45° line helps line this up) or you can use the Creative Grids Cat's Cradle Tool. I am using the Cat’s Cradle Tool.
8. Place the E/F HST right side up, and stack the Piece A/B/C/D unit on it, right sides together.
9. The line you drew in step 7 will be your stitching line. Before you sew, fold the piece open along this line to ensure you have everything turned the correct direction. If you need to turn a piece, do that now. Your seam will be less bulky and it will be easier to make sure that the diagonal seams line up if the seam allowances for the A/B HST and the E/F HST are pressed opposite directions. If you find they are pressed the same direction, before you sew this seam, go back and press the E/F seam allowance to the other side.
10. Unfold Piece A/B/C/D to be flat on top of the E/F HST, and sew ON THE LINE.
11. Before you do anything else, double check that your finished piece will look like a proper Windmill Blade.
12. If your finished piece will be a proper Windmill Blade, close it back up and either stitch another seam ½" away in the seam allowance then cut between the two seams to create a smaller square, as demonstrated in the Tips and Tricks Tutorial, or simply cut off the excess fabric ¼" away from the seam in the seam allowance. Remember, the seam allowance side is the side without the small A/B HST.
13. Open your Windmill Blade unit and press the seam allowances towards the E/F triangles.